Hello! My name is Pavels, I’m a programmer currently living and studying in Vienna, doing everything remotely. I specialize in creating websites (mostly through freelancing), and in my free time, I really love to travel—I try to go somewhere new every month. I prefer budget-friendly trips and active leisure. I enjoy meeting new people and taking part in shared activities—soccer, volleyball, hiking. I like staying open to everything new and always looking for fresh experiences. At the same time, I value calmness, kindness, and trust in others. For me, family and friends come first.
I grew up in Riga, in a close-knit family. I studied at Gerder’s Secondary School. Mathematics turned out to be my strong suit—in the 6th grade, I placed in the top 100 across all of Latvia in one math competition. I was also actively involved in soccer and loved spending time outdoors with friends. However, not all subjects captivated me in the same way: I was somewhat lazy and didn’t want to study things I found uninteresting, so I finished certain classes with “just passing” grades. Still, despite some minor academic hurdles, this period gave me a solid foundation and made me realize that learning is most effective when you’re truly interested—then good results follow naturally.
After the 9th grade, I set my sights on going to university and wanted to get a strong academic background. I managed to win a scholarship and spent a year at the Theresian Academy in Vienna, where I intensively studied German. Later, I moved to Bavaria and enrolled in a local boarding school (Bomhardschule) to earn the Bavarian Abitur, which opens doors to any European university. Studying in German was challenging at first, and during the pandemic (when the boarding school was closed), I often missed face-to-face communication. Nonetheless, I tackled issues on my own and never once thought of giving up. During the 12th grade, I also worked part-time in a store, which required serious time management. In the end, the hard work paid off: I passed my exams successfully and gained a clear understanding that I wanted to combine remote work and study—this was my first step toward an IT career.
When it came time to choose a major, I decided on Computer Science. I moved to a new city and settled into a dorm. It was an exciting phase: new acquaintances, first impressions of student life, total independence. In the evenings, I worked at McDonald’s, and on Tuesdays and Thursdays, I coached kids in a soccer team. Classes took place during the daytime. My schedule was packed, but I managed. At some point, I realized that studying Computer Science would allow me to be free in terms of travel and lifestyle. Once I discovered I could work and study remotely, I had no doubts about my chosen path.
During my third year, I got involved with the DVIZH community—initially hearing about it from my favorite musician, Max Korzh, and later connecting via Instagram. It turned out that they share a similar outlook: everyone enjoys being on the move, traveling, and seeking out vivid experiences. Around the same time, I had a setback in my coursework: I forgot to attach one crucial file to a final project, which resulted in my withdrawal from the university. Of course, my family and friends were worried, but I was determined to bounce back: I enrolled in a distance-learning university so I could fully combine school, work, and traveling. From then on, I started traveling around Europe almost every month, bringing my laptop to work and study on the go. I love how being on the move actually boosts my productivity. This way, I managed to visit practically every country in Europe.
Minsk. This trip was tied to a camp organized by DVIZH. The city and the overall atmosphere gave me some very warm memories: lots of new friendships and heartfelt gatherings.
Amsterdam. Freedom, beautiful architecture, and amazing nightlife. When we went there as a group of about 300 from DVIZH, it was a gigantic adventure.
Tallinn. I often went there to see Max Korzh’s concerts; it’s a gorgeous city with a special warmth and vibe.
Georgia. Incredible landscapes, hospitable people, fantastic food, and outstanding wine.
1. Complete my university studies in a distance format and delve even deeper into Computer Science.
2. Fully transition to freelancing and keep doing web development while maintaining the freedom to travel.
3. Continue exploring new places not only within Europe, but also in Asia, the Americas, and Africa.